The Five Families

[telescopes]

When I think about Italian pipes, I, like I am sure many others out there, think about Savinelli. But of course there are many other Italian pipe makers and through the years I've own quite a few. However, in the last few years as I've failingly tried to cull my pipe collection, my Italians are now represented by what I think are representatives of some of the finest Italian pipe families out there.

Starting with the top picture at 12 o'clock and going clockwise, I have Radice, Gepetto, Kristiansen, Castello, and my latest, Il Ceppo.

One thing is for certain: Italian pipe design and pipe making are still very much a vibrant and living art.

So, what Italians are you smoking?

 

[vosBghos]

S

E

R



J

A

C

O

P

O

 

[telescopes]

S

E

R



J

A

C

O

P

O

My Gepetto is a Capo in that family..

 

[PipeIT]

There are definitely a lot of great Italian carvers out there.

Cavicchi and Castello are on my radar next to purchase. The Italians make great pipes.

Pipedia has a pretty extensive list, not sure if it’s covering everyone, and gets updated regularly.

Italian Pipe Brands & Makers A - C - Pipedia

pipedia.org

In the 80s I had a Savinelli.

Two years ago I had this Posella Brandy I bought at LePipe.it I sold.



Also two years ago, again bought from LePipe.it, I had this Passcucci Lovat I sold.



Now at present, I only have these two Radice.

Radice Rind Straight



Radice Clear Bent Dublin made with Baldo Baldi briar aged over 20 years.



These are all the Italians I’ve owned to date...

 

[yanoJL]

Savinelli is probably the most represented Italian brand in my stable (5), but I have also added a couple of Brebbias and one Castello (so far!)

Brebbia: Serie '1960' Nera Sabbiata (1005)

 

[pipingfool]

I own Castellos (Kinos all), Radices and Savinellis (Corallo di Mares).

In the past I have also owned Ascorti, Il Ceppo, Tom Spanu, Caminetto (Ascorti/Radice Era), Jacono and Pipa Croci.

The ones that I culled were simply because my tastes and preferences changed. Most ended up being bigger pipes or smooth pipes that I no longer smoked. I tend to favor mid-sized pipes that are either sandblasted or rusticated.

The Ascortis and Caminettos were some of my favorites at the time. And the Spanu and Jacono pipes were some of the best "bang-for-the-buck" pipes that could be had. The craftsmanship and briar selection were spot on.

There was only one maker that I was not thoroughly happy with and that was the Pipa Croci. The alignment of the stem and shank was not great and there was always an uneven gap that I didn't feel like getting fixed. Good-looking pipe otherwise.

 

[vosBghos]

My Gepetto is a Capo in that family..

I edited my post so I could show not just tell , I must say I'm impressed by the unity of your collection though all different makers, mine is all over the place but the same maker, weird.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I am sure many others out there, think about Savinelli

They are the oldest one I believe but out of the numerous Italian brands I've tried, Bruto Sordini outshines them. Were I not on the tail end of collecting, I'd definitely replace the majority of my pipes with his.

 

[litup]

My main Italian pipes are Castello, Ardor, Cavicchi, Ser Jacapo, Rinaldo, and Savinelli. Among these makers I have roughly 50 pipes.

 

[bullet08]

Italian pipes? What's that? I'll stick to Irish Peterson.

 

[troutface]

Ceppo, Brebbia, Viprati, Caminetto, Posella, Regina Scarlatta, and Savinelli. Oddly enough, I had two Castellos I bought new and neither smoked very well and I got rid of them. Just unlucky I guess. Also had a Radice twin bore that I found plain annoying.

 

[anotherbob]

I think Brebbia is the most underloved brand on this forum. My Brebbia should have been a bit pricy but still punches above it's weight class. And it is a pipe that none smokers droll over and wax poetic about.

 

[gamzultovah]

Radice, Castello, Becker, Gian Gamboni, Graziano Tendi, Il Duca, Savinelli… Have I left anyone out…?

Edit: thank you @anotherbob , and Brebbia. And I also had a Lorenzo that I loved very much, but it’s gone now.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I’ve not yet dabbled in Italians. The only one I have is a pocket pipe that is only marked “Rolex” over “Italy”. I’ve only smoked it a couple times.

I have been eyeballing Sav 114/Rossi 8114 after hearing how well they seem to smoke.
Recent events have adjusted budget so I’ll be eyeballing for a while.

 

[gamzultovah]

And it is a pipe that none smokers droll over and wax poetic about.

@sablebrush52 has spoken very highly of his Brebbia. As for me, I enjoy the one I own, I just never see a style of theirs that “floats my boat”, otherwise I would own many more.

Brebbia Collection.

 

[anotherbob]

@sablebrush52 has spoken very highly of his Brebbia. As for me, I enjoy the one I own, I just never see a style of theirs that “floats my boat”, otherwise I would own many more.
View attachment 256168
Brebbia Collection.

My Brebbia was my only pipe for years. In fact it's the reason I got a reamer. I could barely get a finger in the chamber . But it's got all the qualities people talk about with artisian pipes with a factory pipe price.

 

[telescopes]

i have bought a few from Iwan Reis but the best prices are from Alpasca.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I’ve not yet dabbled in Italians. The only one I have is a pocket pipe that is only marked “Rolex” over “Italy”. I’ve only smoked it a couple times.View attachment 256165

I have been eyeballing Sav 114/Rossi 8114 after hearing how well they seem to smoke.
Recent events have adjusted budget so I’ll be eyeballing for a while.

The pocket Rolex was made by Brebbia. Savinelli made a near identical pipe.

Savinelli outnumbers all brands in my collection by a good margin. I have a fair amount of Brebbia pipes as well. My interest in Brebbia has much to do with my interest in Savinelli’s history—the two companies are intertwined throughout the ’50s and ’60s.

 

[Piping Abe]

I really am a fan of Moretti’s work. But I just cannot do those clunky acrylic stems the Italians love. I have tried and tried but just gave up. So I no longer purchase Italian pipes. I still own 2 Savinelli’s. They are good pipes.

 

[Papamique]

I have too many to list them all but my absolute favorite Italian briar by far is Amorelli. The briar tastes amazing and I dig his style and class.